Traffic lights are set to be installed at two busy Sunshine Coast intersections that have a history of crashes.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is designing safety improvements at junctions on bustling main roads Alexandra Parade and Buderim Avenue, at the northern and southern ends of Mayfield Street.
A TMR spokesperson said action needed to be taken.
“(The intersections) have been identified for safety upgrades due to a recent history of casualty crashes”.
“The proposed upgrades include new traffic signals and signalised pedestrian crossings at both locations.
“The safety improvements aim to reduce the risk of crashes, provide safer turning and crossing opportunities and better manage increasing traffic demands for this growing community.”
The project web page stated that the intersections are heavily used by residents, visitors and local businesses, creating “safety and congestion issues” that “are becoming more noticeable”.
Early design work is underway for both intersections.
Alexandra Parade and Buderim Avenue are among the busiest thoroughfares in the region, with locals and tourists utilising the state roads. The former carried about 19,300 vehicles per day at the last count in 2023, while the latter accommodated about 8400. There are several sets of traffic lights already along both.
Proposed design features at the Alexandra Parade-Mayfield Street T-junction include: new traffic lights, signalised pedestrian crossings on two sides of the junction, a raised centre median stopping vehicles from turning right into Boolarong Cresence, a new signalised U-turn facility at Mayfield Street allowing southbound vehicles on Alexandra Parade to safely access Boolarong Crescent, and updated street lighting and parking adjustments.
Proposed design features at the at the Buderim Avenue-Mayfield Street-Pettigrew Street crossoads include: new traffic signals, signalised pedestrian crossings on three legs of the junction, new right-turn lanes on Buderim Avenue, updated street lighting and informal parking adjustments.
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To deliver the upgrades there would be parking impacts.
At Alexandra Parade, early indications are that five car parks will be removed in the immediate area. At Buderim Avenue, some informal parking will likely be removed to help improve visibility and sight lines. These details will be confirmed when design investigations are finalised.
Design work is expected to be completed later this year, and timing for construction is still to be determined.
“We’re in the early stages of designing these safety improvements,” TMR stated.
“Our goal is to understand how these intersections are currently functioning and identify the issues people are experiencing.”
For more see TMR Projects.
